As I was getting things together for this post I noticed something. I've actually done a revisits post on these two places together before! Kinda funny; I'm wondering if there's some internal "calendar" that goes off when I eat at one of these places that automatically makes me go to the other?
Anyway, here goes.....
Green China Grill:
In addition to the earlier combo post with the Pho Shop; I noticed that I tend to revisit Green China Grill about once a year. Strange.
As you can see GCG is a green as ever.
This time around I went back to Beef Noodle Soup with Sour Cabbage, which is now $10.99.
As always; the soup was blasting hot; with a good amount of "ma", numbingness to it. I still think it could be beefier and a bit richer, but at least they didn't go too heavy handed on the MSG on this visit. The standard issue xue cai was fine; though I notice they've cut back on the amount of it provided. Too bad; it adds a nice sour-acidic dimension to the broth, along with a bit of crunchiness. The beef was on the tough side and could have used a flavor injection. Though the Lamian (牛大碗 - Hand Pulled Noodles) were excellent this time around. Perfect chewy-al dente mouthfeel, wonderfully slippery, I think they've finally got things nailed down with regards to the noodles.
Overall, a bit over-priced, but this basically delivered.
Green China Grill
4688 Convoy St
San Diego, CA 92111
Pho Kitchen:
On a recent Sunday after working for a couple of hours I decided to head home. I'd been trying to fight off a cold and just wanted some pho relatively close to home. I thought about Pho Hut, but I'd never had anything close to a decent bowl of pho from there. So, I headed on over to Pho Kitchen. I went ahead and ordered the regular sized Pho "Tu Do"; basically pho with your choice of three proteins ($7.50).
When the basil and sprouts arrived, the expected small portion, I noticed that both the basil and sprouts were just on the verge of turning color.
The broth was super hot and like the typical San Diego pho broth, on the sweeter side. The soup lacked richness as it was severely defatted, though it had a hint of oniony-beefiness, an improvement over previous visits.
The proteins were quite good. Both the flank and brisket were tender; but not falling to pieces, and both were flavorful. The tendon, while a bit more chewy than I prefer was decent as well.
The issue this time around were the noodles.
While not in a clump on the bottom of the bowl; they were over-cooked and mushy.
It just seems like Pho Kitchen always just misses the mark on my visits. Perhaps one day they'll put it all together. All-in-all, not bad. It's "pho not to offend", if you like that kind of stuff. Service here has always been nice, which does make a difference.
Pho Kitchen
5375 Napa St
San Diego, CA 92110
:(
Posted by: kat | Tuesday, 26 March 2019 at 02:40 AM
Plus/minus Kat.
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 26 March 2019 at 06:53 AM
Something is definitely going around. I'm fighting a cold right now too. Too bad about the mushy noodles. For most pho shops around town that's usually the only thing they get right.
Posted by: Junichi | Tuesday, 26 March 2019 at 11:09 AM
Hope you feel better soon Junichi. I've been fighting this thing off for three weeks!
Posted by: Kirk | Tuesday, 26 March 2019 at 01:46 PM
I've been wanting to try GCG and the wife and I hit them up tonight. I had the Beef Noodle Soup with Sour Cabbage which unfortunately had no "Ma" to it even though the Mrs's Beef Brisket soup had "Ma" going on in spades. A little soy/chili/black vinger did a lot for my broth though that Wife preferred her's unaltered. Good and with a few tweeks (and more meat) could have been great.
Posted by: Derek R | Wednesday, 27 March 2019 at 10:56 PM
That's weird about the soup Derek. I really enjoyed the texture of the noodles on my last visit. Glad you got around to trying the place.
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 28 March 2019 at 06:43 AM
I agree - those noodles were/are dreamy. We'll definitely be back
Posted by: Derek R | Thursday, 28 March 2019 at 09:04 AM
Just curious, where was your last serviceable bowl of pho in San Diego?
Posted by: Janfrederick | Thursday, 28 March 2019 at 01:37 PM
Pho 7 Cow Jan.....I'm starting to do my "rounds" again.
https://mmm-yoso.typepad.com/mmmyoso/2019/03/revisits-chon-ju-jip-and-pho-7-cow.html
Posted by: Kirk | Thursday, 28 March 2019 at 01:58 PM
Thanks! This works out. I am going to be dropping off someone at the TJ airport on Monday for whom pho is a must-do on their short San Diego visit this weekend. I'm sure they'd be happy to have Pho Lucky in La Paz at this point. ;)
Posted by: Janfrederick | Friday, 29 March 2019 at 02:04 PM